Violin bridge



Jan. 15, 1929.

B. H EN N ESSY VIOLIN BRIDGE Filed Nov. 16, 1926 Patented Jan. 15, 1929.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

VIOLIN BRIDGE.

Application filed November 16, 1926.

This invention relates to musical instru ments, especially to the bridges which are used to support the strings on violins and similarly stringed musical instruments, and

has for its object the production of a bridge the use whereof on a stringed musical instrument will greatly improve the tone thereof, because of the fact that the vibrations set up in the strings will be more forcibly and positively transmitted to the body of the instrument, and the volume of sound which will be given off will be thereby in creased.

Another object is to produce a bridge which will at all times maintain its shape, and not change shape while in use by reason of the force which is applied thereto due to the tension of the strings, as do the usual bridges for violins and other stringed musical instruments, which are made from a single piece of wood so cut that the grain thereof lies, or runs horizontal; and which when in service are liable to warp or buckle sideways under the strains to which they are necessarily subjected when in use.

The manner in which I have accomplished my objects is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. l is a front elevation, and

Fig. 2 is an end elevation of my improved violin bridge.

The same reference characters refer same parts throughout the views.

Referring to the drawings it will be plainly seen that my new bridge comprises a substantially horizontal base bar B with feet F, F scrolled therein, or cut out, in substantially the usual manner; a curved and horizontally positioned top bar T provided with the usual string notched a, a, and a series of substantially upright bars U.

to the Serial No. 148,741.

The base bar B and top bar T are securely fastened together by'the upright bars U, the joints being preferably made as a tongue and groove as illustrated in F 2, but the joint may be made in any ()L'liQl' suitable manner. Each vertical bar U is provided with a tongue (4 at each end and these tongues are received by the grooves c in the upper and lower horizontal bars as illustrated in Figure 2. The bridge in its entirety is constructed of wood, with the grain in the vertical bars U running at right engles to the grain in the base bar B and top bar T.

By constructing-a bridge" substantially in the manner illustrated and described, an unusually rigid support for the strings of a musical instrument of the type for which it is designed is provided; one which will withstand the strains to which it is normally subjected without becoming distorted, and which will more positively transmit the vibrations of the strings to the body of the instrument than will the usual, one piece bridge.

I claim:

A bridge for violins and similar instru ments, comprising a horizontal base bar, a curved top bar, the confronting edges of the respective bars having grooves throughout their length, a plurality of vertically disposed bars equidistantly spaced apart, and tongues projecting from the opposite ends of each vertical bar and received by the adjacent grooves, said bridge being wholly constructed of wood with the grain in the vertical bars running at right angles to the grain in the said base and top bars.

In testimony whereof I have afiixed my signature.

BURTICE HEN N ESSY. 

